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Retail
door partly open Opportunity
in B’desh |
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Malnourished
children
Dialogue
of dangerous kind
The
great survivor
Hope
beyond DEAD END
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Opportunity in B’desh
There
has hardly been as much interest in Bangladesh to have friendly relations with India as can be seen today with Sheikh Hasina heading the government in Dhaka again. This was demonstrated clearly when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Bangladesh in September last year and signed a few significant agreements to promote trade and other activities between the two neighbours. India got transit facilities from Dhaka and a firm promise that Bangladesh’s territory would not be allowed to be used for insurgency in India’s Northeast. The much-debated Teesta water-sharing deal remained in limbo owing to the spanner thrown into the works by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee, whose political calculations do not fit in with the scheme of things of New Delhi. Now when Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is in Tripura on a historic trip to this border state, which played a significant role in the liberation of Bangladesh, India needs to renew its commitment to an agreement on the Teesta waters. The Teesta issue has been very embarrassing for Sheikh Hasina, providing ammunition to the anti-India forces in Bangladesh to attack the Awami League leader for her friendly stance towards New Delhi. India also must highlight on this occasion the gains that will be made by Bangladesh following the signing of the accord on transit facilities to India through Bangladeshi territory. The concerns of Dhaka over the Tipaimukh hydropower project in Manipur should be addressed at the earliest to silence the elements opposing the move of the Sheikh Hasina government to write a new chapter in the history of India-Bangladesh relations. New Delhi needs to be proactive in building bridges of understanding with India’s immediate neighbours particularly. They should not be given an opportunity to harbour any kind of suspicion about India’s intentions. These neighbours appear to be seriously interested in investments from India in different sectors. Sheikh Hasina’s meeting in Agartala with Indian businessmen to boost trade between the two countries is the latest proof of the keenness of India’s neighbours to improve their economic relations with New Delhi.
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Malnourished children
A
country
truly concerned about its development would put its children’s health on a higher priority than the GDP. For, population of over a billion can add strength to a country, only, if it is healthy and productive. If one in every three most malnourished children live in India, as is reported by UNISEF, it is a cause of worry. Because, such a populace can become a liability in the coming years, frustrating all growth plans. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has all the reasons to describe this alarmingly high rate of children’s malnutrition — which is 42 per cent — a ‘national shame.’ In fact, the survey conducted by Hyderabad based Naandi Foundation in the 100 most backward districts of BIMARU states and Jharkhand, with a sample size of over one lakh children — found that 59 per cent children have stunted growth, 42 per cent are underweight and about 11 per cent children between the age group of 0 to 5 suffer from wasting disease. Sunken eyed, with swollen belly and shrivelled skin, these listless, lifeless children also suffer from learning deficiency, because they are fed on — if at all — on inadequate nutrients required for a healthy development of body and mind. The problem of children’s malnutrition also has its roots in the perpetually anaemic women who keep on producing children, in total disregard to their own health. Around one-third of all adult women are underweight in India. Surveys conducted in the past have shown that malnutrition among children is lowest in Kerala, where literacy rate of women is the highest in the country. Malnutrition in the first five years of a child leads to serious, long-term consequences because it impedes motor, sensory, cognitive, social and emotional development. An educated mother not only understands the relevance of nutrition, she also practices hygiene and knows how to access health facilities. These issues stem in our social complexity; girls are more at risk of malnutrition than boys because of their lower social status, and they become mothers. The government has to address this issue at several levels.
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An apology is the superglue of life. It can repair just about anything. — Lynn Johnston
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Dialogue of dangerous kind
During
the last two months, there have been media reports relating to three parallel dialogues involving the Taliban — all of them having serious consequences for the future of Afghanistan and the stability of the entire region. While the major players engaged in these dialogues include the US, Pakistan and numerous Taliban factions across the Durand Line, the others in the region — the Karzai government, members of the erstwhile Northern Alliance, Iran and, hopefully, India — are likely to respond to these initiatives and their end-games. The first and foremost of this dialogue is between the Taliban and the US. By now, it is no more a secret that the US administration has been engaged in a negotiation with the Taliban — moderate or otherwise. While Washington DC may project this American dialogue as that with a “moderate” Taliban, this is more for domestic consumption rather than based on any reality. Whoever represents the “moderate” Taliban? Whoever is willing to speak to the US? Or whoever uses less the suicide bombing tactic? Whether moderate or not, a section within the Taliban is engaged in a dialogue with the US. It is highly improbable that this dialogue is happening without the knowledge of Mullah Omar. If that is the case, it is even more dangerous, for it would be highly unproductive. Talking to a few Pashtun warlords and criminals, who may use the Taliban tag, may even be counter-productive. The recent report on the Taliban wanting to open an office in Qatar should be read against this background. It is widely believed that this initiative to have a Taliban office in Qatar is primarily to facilitate the dialogue between the two primary military actors in Afghanistan — the US and the Taliban. It appears that the US has tacitly agreed to such an initiative. It is also reported that the negotiations would include the release of some Taliban leaders from the Guantanamo prison in return for the Taliban’s agreement to take part in a future set-up in Kabul. One could understand why the US is desperate to reach out to the Taliban. This has been a part of its exit strategy and perhaps the American Plan-B, if its Plan-A (a stable government under Karzai) fails. Clearly, Plan-A is unlikely to succeed, for Karzai needs time and more support, and not an exit route by 2014. Moreover, given the inherent weaknesses of Karzai and his government (being corrupt, not having the ability to govern and being incapable to fight the Taliban), the present regime is nowhere close to making Plan-A work. But why would the Taliban agree to negotiate with the US? This is what would make this dialogue between the US and the Taliban (moderate or otherwise) dangerous. Both Taliban factions — led by Mullah Omar and the Haqqanis — are desperate and may have any deadline to take care of. Both the Afghan factions of the Taliban, in recent months, have been on an offensive and there are no visible signs of either fatigue or failure syndromes afflicting them. Both are waiting for the American-led international troops to leave Afghanistan to regain Kabul. If that is the case, why should they enter into a dialogue with the US now? Perhaps, for the Taliban, this is a tactical move. They have nothing to lose. If what they want to achieve after a bloody fight in 2014 is about to be delivered on a platter to them, that too with an international recognition, why would they refuse? The dangerous part is, what would they commit in return? Deception and treachery have always been a part of the various Pashtun militias. If the Americans have any doubt, they should read Afghanistan’s history, especially since the Anglo-Afghan wars. From the “journal” of Lady Florentina Sale (wife of General Sir Robert Henry Sale), who was captured by the Pashtuns before the British troops ultimately rescued her, to that of British priest TL Pennel, who lived “among the wild tribes of the Afghan frontier,” numerous accounts highlight how treacherous the Pashtun militias have been in the past. Or ask the Pakistanis who have concluded multiple deals with them during the last decade. These militias consider treachery as a part of their tactic, and browbeat how they fooled and foiled the plans of a bigger power. One only wishes the Americans read the Afghan history; if they had, they would not have invaded Afghanistan in the first place! Karzai is apprehensive and upset with the dialogue between the Taliban and the US about deciding the future of Afghanistan. Though there have been a few statements from his administration, the US would dictate him to keep quiet and adhere to the outcome of the dialogue. Besides Karzai, members of the erstwhile Northern Alliance are also equally apprehensive of any dialogue with the Taliban. What is even more worrisome for the above two Afghan sections — Pashtun and Non-Pashtun — is the fact that they are not a part of this dialogue. They will be provided with an American-led solution while it is they who have been facing the problem. The second dialogue is what makes the first one even more dangerous. In the first week of this year, various Taliban factions, both Afghan and Pakistan varieties, formed a five-member council — Shura-e-Murakbah, representing Mullah Omar, the Haqqanis, Hakimullah Mehsud, Waliur Rehman and Mulla Nazir. The primary objectives of this Shura are threefold. First, to unite all the Taliban factions — Afghan and Pakistan. Currently, there are two major Afghan factions led by Mullah Omar and the Haqqanis. Fortunately for the Afghan Taliban, despite the divide, they do not fight each other; the Haqqanis, in principle, owe their allegiance to Mullah Omar. However, this is not true about the various Taliban factions within Pakistan. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is more an umbrella than a monolithic organisation. Besides the intra-tribal differences among the various Pashtun tribes in FATA, especially between the Mehsuds and the Wazirs, there are clear divides on how they see and fight the Pakistani security forces. The second objective of this five-member Shura formed in early January is to stop fighting the Pakistani security forces. While Pakistan would welcome this development, what makes this Shura dangerous for regional stability is their next objective — to combine their strength and fight the NATO-led international troops in Afghanistan. If the Taliban factions are indeed engaged in a dialogue with the US, why would they form a Shura and make a combined effort to wage a war against the international troops in Afghanistan? What would be the calculations of the Taliban in pursuing a parallel strategy, contradicting each other? Either the Taliban feels that this would give their movement a leverage against the US during negotiatiions or they could get what they want in the negotiations — release of prisoners, a role in the future set-up in Kabul, international recognition and, at the same time, ensuring that the exit for the international troops is anything but a face-saving exercise. Or is it possible that the US is negotiating with a Taliban faction that neither belongs to the Mullah Omar camp nor the Haqqanis? The last set of the dialogue involving the Taliban has been taking place for the last few months between the Pakistani security forces and sections of the TTP. During November 2011 itself, the local media in Pakistan reported about this negotiation. The ANP, which has formed the government in Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa province, has publicly announced that it is not aware of this negotiation and not a part of it. Clearly, this was a negotiation between the security forces (to be read as the ISI?) and the TTP. Perhaps, one of the objectives of the American attack on the Pakistani posts during end-November was to scuttle the dialogue. Since the killing of Nek Mohammad in 2004, there have been multiple instances of drone attacks during such secret negotiations. While the US would negotiate with the Taliban, it would object to Pakistan doing the same. Whatever may be the objectives of these three dialogues, these are certainly not complimentary. In fact, these are contradictory, and that makes the development dangerous for regional
stability. The writer is Director, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, and Visiting Professor, Pakistan Studies Programme, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
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The great survivor For
years he fought illnesses and crises. Now he is no more. His body has been handed over to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, for medical research in accordance with his will. The great survivor thus still lives after death in the cause of humanity. His last wish having been fulfilled, his soul has soared away to the skies with satisfaction while his body would be around in the world for a long while — not in the manner of an Egyptian mummy, looking for the day of its own resurrection, but for the wellbeing of the living. This noble soul, late Jagdish Jhanji, was half a generation my senior. Well over half a century back, he lost his heart to a lovely young lady in his neighbourhood at Palam Pur and this affair lasted till his death sadly did them apart. Those in love can pick up faintest echoes of affection around them. A few years after his own marriage, he came to know that I was carrying quite a load of love on my heart for his young sister-in-law. He worked furiously behind the scenes to ensure that we got bonded in marriage without fuss. We thus ended up as brothers-in-law and more than that, as soul-mates. Both of us had an identical craze to get into discussion on everything under the sun with anybody around us, whether willing or unwilling for this. Thus, from here onwards we were to share a lot in our heads and hearts. He spent a good part of his life in the town of Sahnewal in Punjab where his father was a government doctor, enjoying quite some clout in the area. Interestingly, the father of the celebrated film actor, Dharminder, was a school-master at the place and the two were friends. Being socially better placed, Dr Jhanji could afford to act as a big brother with the teacher. When Dharminder decided on a career in the Bollywood, the doctor felt concerned and did not hold back his disapproval for the idea. In fact, one day he asked the school master annoyingly, “Kiun pher puttar nu kanjar bana hi rehya.” (So, finally you chose to turn your son to the traditional profession of a “kanjar”) — the “kanjar” tribe in Punjab was then in the profession of singing and dancing that was not considered respectable by the older generation. Dharminder was to later earn the honorific of being the most handsome star of Bollywood and have the privilege of sitting in our Parliament. Coming back to the main story, Jagdishji had a clear premonition that his end was not very far off. So he got in touch with the Anatomy Department of AIIMS in the Capital and registered himself for the donation of his body. Not being sure, about the reaction of his wife and children to the idea, he left the photo-copies of the documents with me, with a request to see that his last wish was honoured. Still having lingering doubts in mind that worldly attachments might come in the way of his will, he put the document in an amulet which he died
wearing.
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Depression is a silent epidemic against which there is no immunisation. There is no definite cause for this disorder.
It can affect anyone, at any time. However, it is an illness that can be treated
It is normal for almost all of us, at some point in our life, to feel sad. People often use the word 'depression' to describe this transitory feeling of gloom that may take over from time to time. There is, however, a difference between these feelings of sadness and a serious, if not life threatening, clinical/psychiatric condition of depression. Depression affects us not just at the level of our emotions, but impacts our thoughts and actions as well. It affects our ability to eat, sleep, work, think and relate. It shatters our self-esteem and mundane everyday tasks appear gargantuan. Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness and guilt take over. Patients with depression are no longer able to think, concentrate or make decisions for themselves. Recurrent thoughts of death and suicide are not uncommon. Facts about depression It is an extreme and sustained form of sadness:
Depression involves not just the subjective feeling of sadness, but also affects an individual's thoughts, actions, and even their biological drives. Only the weak suffer from it:
Neurotransmitter imbalances, genetic, environmental, socio-cultural and personality factors all contribute to the causation of depression. Depression is a complex medical condition, one that is not a matter of choice. It is not the fault of the patient, and neither is it a sign of personal weakness. Depression can be willed away by thinking happy thoughts: Depression is an illness, and like any other illness, it cannot be cured simply by willpower or positive thinking. Depression does not go away on its own. This disorder is a rare condition:
Depression is an extremely common condition affecting millions of people worldwide. By 2020, it is expected to be the second leading cause of death and disability, after cardiovascular disease. The annual cost of depression on the US economy alone is about $ 30 billion. Depression is not a life-threatening condition: Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death and depressive disorders account for 80 per cent of all suicide attempts. Depression is caused by a major stress or traumatic childhood events:
Stressful life events have been often found to precede depressive episodes. However, they cannot explain each case of depression. Depression can inflict even the most cheerful, successful and satisfied individuals. Anti-depressant medicines are addictive: Psychopharmacological treatment has come a long way in the treatment of depression. Many different classes of drugs are now available, suited to the requirements of different individuals. These drugs are safe, their side effects are now negligible. The treatment is time-bound and these drugs are not habit-forming in any way. Popping a pill alone can cure depression: Anti-depressants alone are not sufficient for the treatment of depression. Psychological therapy, for the purpose of correcting dysfunctional thought patterns and coping abilities are also essential in treatment, as well as relapse prevention. While mediceines can provide us with the ability to lead a normal life, they cannot live it for us. Depression is a normal part of ageing:
Depression is a common concern among the elderly. A sense of meaninglessness/insignificance after retirement, social isolation, physical ailments and dependency may perpetuate these feelings. However, it is possible for the elderly to find purpose, fulfilment and happiness. And while ageing is a transitional phase that poses its own challenges, depression is still not a normal response, and therefore must be treated. Only old people suffer from depression:
The problem of childhood and teenage depression has always existed, but the incidence of depression has started to rise in the teenage population. Depression in adolescence may present itself a little differently, with increased irritability, anger and mood fluctuations. Recent data suggests that the incidence of depression may be on the rise among people younger than 20 years. This may be related to the increased use of alcohol and drugs of abuse in this age group. Depression only affects women:
While it is true that the incidence of depression is twice as prevalent in women, more than one in every 100 men also suffers from depression. The reported prevalence of depression in men is also lower due to the gender stereotypical norms and expectations regarding the expression of emotions. In fact, recent data suggests that the suicide mortality rate is higher among men as compared to women. Talking about depression only makes it worse:
It is a common misconception Depression is not a sign of personal weakness or the patient’s fault. Just like diabetes and hypothyroidism, it cannot be willed away. It is an illness, which requires medical treatment just as any other. Depression is common. In fact, it is so common that it has often been referred to as the “common cold of mental illness”. A major depressive disorder is not a benign disorder. It tends to be chronic, and patients tend to relapse. Depression does not discriminate between the rich and the poor, or the famous and the unknown. Winston Churchill, Princess Diana, and even comedians like Jim Carrey and Drew Carey, have battled with depression at some point in their lives.
Causes There is no definite cause for depression. Instead, it is attributed to the interaction of various biological, genetic, environmental and psychological factors. Biological and genetic:
Our brain utilises many chemical messengers called neurotransmitters to carry signals from one part of the brain to the other. An imbalance - either too much or too little - of some of these chemicals can lead to depression. The neurotransmitters implicated in depression are norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. Many research studies have documented the heritability of depression. In fact, among identical twins, if one twin has depression, the likelihood of the other having a mood disorder is about 70-90 per cent. Life events and environmental stress:
It has long been observed that stressful life events often precede the onset of depression. The disorder has been related to the experience of events beyond our control. The loss of a parent before the age of 11, the loss of a spouse and unemployment have been found to be the most significant risk factors when we talk of mood disorders. Alcohol and substance abuse have also been associated with depression. Psychological/Personality factors:
Early life relationships, family interaction patterns, communication styles, coping and problem-solving abilities and thought processes have all been linked to depression. People who suffer from depression often have a distorted perception of their experiences. The distortion in their thought process causes them to have a negative view of themselves. At the same time, they perceive others and the environment around them to be hostile and demanding. They tend to become pessimistic and view their future to be hopeless.
Treatment While an untreated depressive episode lasts about six to 13 months, most treated episodes last about three months. The treatment of depression may involve a combination of medicines as well as individual and group psychotherapies. While patients and clinicians may choose one over the other, the ideal approach usually involves a judicious mix of both. Pharmacological therapy: Since it is now widely recognised that depression is caused due to the imbalance of certain neurotransmitters in our brain, specific medications have been developed to correct this imbalance. Over the years, the efficacy of these anti-depressants has increased, and the side-effects are now negligible. Although most people are still apprehensive about taking these medicines, what must be understood is that in cases of moderate to severe depression, particularly, treatment without medicines is next to impossible. Psychological therapy:
Along with medicines, many forms of psychotherapy have also been found to be effective in the management of depression. These therapies focus on correcting maladaptive behaviours and thought processes, working with family interaction patterns and improving coping and problem-solving abilities. Once the severely debilitating symptoms of depression have been eased, therapy helps patients understand their experiences better, regain the sense of control over their lives, and subsequently reduce the likelihood of a relapse.
What you can do Social support is a key factor in the recovery of a depressed patient. It is, therefore, important to ‘be there’ for the patient, and to listen to and understand their thoughts and feelings. We should never negate the experience or the suffering of the other person. Living with a person suffering from any mental illness can often be a challenging and frustrating experience. Understand that the patient is not behaving in a certain way out of choice, and just like any medical illness, they are unable to “snap out of it”. Besides feeling alone and misunderstood, we must realise that patients due the very nature of the disease, experience a lack of energy, motivation and a sense of helplessness. As a caregiver/well-wisher, the best one can do is to identify a mental health facility and encourage the patient to visit the clinician. We now have data to suggest that 80 per cent depressed patients, who receive medical treatment, benefit from it. Depression is a silent epidemic against which there is no immunisation. It can affect anyone, at any time. However, it is an illness that can be treated, and no one deserves to be deprived of a happier and healthier life because of it. The writer is Chief Psychiatrist, Department of Mental and Behavioural Sciences, Max Healthcare, New Delhi
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that depression happens because one is too emotionally expressive, and instead one must have the strength and willpower to suffer in silence rather than be dramatic or attention seeking about it. However, ventilating one's thoughts and feelings provides a sense of catharsis, an integral part of depression treatment. The disorder brings with it feelings of loneliness and hopelessness. These feelings can be mitigated by sharing with a loved one. Talking about depression can also help, as family and friends recognise symptoms and help in seeking medical attention for it.